Teaching Assistant - ZOOL 303 (Animal Developmental Biology)

September 1, 2021 · 1 min read
teaching

Overview

Supported undergraduate learning in ZOOL 303: Animal Developmental Biology at the University of Alberta, for which I received commendations from the Faculty. The course introduces principles of animal development across vertebrates and invertebrates and integrates molecular, cellular, and comparative perspectives to explain embryogenesis and organ system development.

Responsibilities

  • Supported students with developmental biology concepts and mechanisms
  • Facilitated learning through guided problem-solving and discussion
  • Helped learners connect experimental evidence to developmental outcomes

Key takeaways

  • Students learn development best by linking gene regulation + cell interactions + morphology
  • “Mechanism first” teaching reduces rote memorization and improves transfer across model organisms
  • Structured reasoning (what changes, when, and why) improves interpretation of experimental results
Teaching Teaching Assistant University Teaching Developmental Biology
Ehsan Misaghi
Authors
Ehsan Misaghi (he/him)
Clinician-Scientist Trainee
Ehsan Misaghi is an MD/PhD Candidate at the University of Alberta working at the intersection of ophthalmology, genetics, and artificial intelligence. His research focuses on inherited retinal disease and genotype–phenotype correlations in ocular disease, with an emphasis on mechanistic insight and translational relevance. Alongside research, he builds and evaluates practical AI tools for clinical and educational settings, and he leads medical AI education, research, and community-building through the AI in Medical Systems Society (AIMSS) and related initiatives. His goal is to advance rigorous, clinically useful research and translate it into improved diagnostics, care pathways, and responsible innovation.